Tag Archives: apartment jobs

The holidays are often thought of as one of the most difficult time to look for a job; however, if you manage your time right it could be one of the most productive. Among all the business, holiday parties, and baked goods this time of year there are plenty opportunities to push your job search to the next step!

1. Plan Ahead

Despite the temptation to slow down the apartment job search process this time of year, companies must still continue their staffing plans. Just as properties will continue to hire, you must continue to search during this time. Continue to reach out to employers or recruiting agencies and it could pay off immediately or when things pick up again after the season is over.

2.Network at holiday parties

Frequent as many holiday parties as you have time for with the aim of professional networking. With business card in hand, holiday parties for work or friends are an excellent opportunity to make connections. If you are hunting for an apartment job, properties, associations, recruiters, and individuals will all throw holiday parties–each ripe opportunities for networking.

3. Send small gifts as a follow-up

A small token of thanks goes a long way to those who have helped you along in your job hunt. The spirit of giving that goes hand in hand with the holidays is an excellent opportunity to show you appreciation to people who have helped you and to remind them that you are still looking for a job.

4. Send Holiday Cards

With relatively little time an effort, holiday cards can be sent to those in your network, whether clients, co-workers, or hiring companies. The recipient could be in need of someone that matches your skill set—and the card is a great way to remind him or her that you are available. Following up in January is also a good idea.

5. Refresh Your Online Image

No matter how busy the holidays, down time can be used to focus on your online personal brand. Making sure your Facebook and LinkedIn are up to date and profession is a great way to give your job search a boost during this time.

Make the most of the holidays with these job search tips, and you could end up with something better than a present under the tree at Christmas—you could land the job you’ve had your eye on!

How to Write a Resume That Shows Your Strengths

As an accumulation of your professional experience, your resume deserves to be thoughtfully put together in the most meaningful way possible. Whether you already have a go-to resume or are in the process of writing one, these 3 keys will make your resume stronger than ever:

1. Put the Most Important Information First

Because you reader’s eyes will naturally move from top to bottom of the page, start with your most eye-catching information. For example, if you are a recent grad you may want to showcase your education at the top of your resume. Moving down the page you should continue to highlight the experience that most qualifies you for a job. When applying for an apartment job this could encompass properties you have worked at recently, or if you have worked in a related field. Though time consuming, this may mean altering your resume to make it as relevant as possible for each position you apply for. Keep a description of the job you are applying for on hand, and make sure you demonstrate you qualifications as you craft your resume.

2. Show Don’t Tell

As you detail your work experience in your resume, seek ways to go beyond simply stating your responsibilities. Instead of writing that you “leased successfully” at your last apartment job, include that you “tripled your closing ratio.” Assigning numbers to your achievements or demonstrating how you benefited your previousemployer communicates that you are a good candidate infinitely more than simply listing tasks.

3. Giver Your Resume a Facelift

Looks are important when it comes to your resume—a resume that appears jumbled at first glance could leave a bad first impression, no matter how qualified you are for a position. Streamline your resume in such a way that it is obvious how a reader is meant to interpret it, maintaining consistent formatting and avoiding long-winded paragraphs. Don’t get too overzealous on designing your resume though; adding different fonts, colors, or graphics can also detract from coming across as profession. Most jobs, especially apartment jobs, require candidates to be highly organized, and what better way to communicate this than by the first look at your resume.

Next time you get stuck writing your resume, or if you are currently in the process of doing so, stick to these 3 keys to get your resume noticed. Standing out in a job search is difficult to do, and these tips will ensure your resume sets you up for success.

Answers to the 3 Toughest Interview Questions

Preparation is key when it comes to interviewing. As you walk into your interview you should hope for the best but prepare for the worst—already knowing how you will answer the most difficult questions that could get thrown at you. How you tackle the most challenging questions could end up making all the difference in landing the job.

Here are some of the trickiest interview questions and ways to respond:

1.) Why should I hire you?

While this is one of the most intimidating questions an employer can ask, it provides an opportunity to directly convince your interviewer why you are right for the job. If answered well, this question can bolster your case as a candidate. In order to provide a convincing response, you must already be informed about the company and position you are applying for. Make sure you’ve done your research concerning what the company is looking for, and then you can explain why you’re the right person for the job.

2.) Tell me about yourself.

This question usually comes up early on in the interview, and can set the stage for a smooth meeting. Your response should avoid trivial information while giving the employer a sense of who you are. For example, succinctly covering your recent work experience and future career goals can be done in response to this question. Try to stick to explaining your professional development rather than irrelevant hobbies or weekend activities.

3.) What is your greatest weakness?

If you do not already have a well-prepared answer to this question you are likely to get stumped or do more harm than good in your response. Cliché ‘weaknesses’ that are really strengths—such as ‘I work too hard,’—should be replaced by a more sincere trait. You can be honest about a weak point you have, followed up with how you plan to apply yourself to compensate. Another appropriate response is to list a skill that you hope to hone at your new job.

Before your next interview make sure you have thought through the answers to these as well as more basic questions. Preparation will never be wasted when you walk into an interview. And while these specific responses could be used, they should always be altered to your unique situation.

3 Things to Do before You Begin Your Job Search

While you may be eager to jump straight into the job search process, there are several key things that you can do before you begin searching that will pay off later. The more time you spend preparing for your job search the more effective—and less stressful—it will be once you’ve started.

1. Get Organized
Taking the time to get organized before your job search may feel like you are slowing down your progress; however, successful organization will save you headaches later. Create a strategy for your job hunt, including everything from networking to interviewing. One of the best ways to save precious time during your job search is to write down a list of positions you are going to target. In the apartment industry you can set goals for which positions you are going to apply for as well as brainstorm which properties you are going to apply at. If your search ends up deviating from your original goals it is not always a bad thing; but having initial organization to build on is crucial.

2. Re-vamp Your Resume
Perhaps your resume hasn’t been touched in years, or perhaps you’ve re-worked it last month—either way you should re-vamp it before you begin your next job search. Rather than immediately sending your resume off to potential employers, craft it to include an updated scope of your relevant skills. Keep in mind that even if you are applying for a job in a field you haven’t worked in before, you may still have skills that qualify you. For example, apartment jobs require a variety of skills, such as the ability to communicate well and problem solve, which could be gained outside the apartment industry.

3. Makeover Your LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn profile can function as an online resume, so it is important that it is complete and accurate. Many employers today will check-up on candidates via LinkedIn, and you can use the platform to further convince them that you are a worthy hire. Your profile should clearly communicate what you are about. For example, if you are applying for apartment jobs you may want to emphasize skills and experience that demonstrate you are a top candidate in the industry. Consistent information, a professional picture, and a compelling overall progression should all define your LinkedIn presence.

Whether you are about to start a job search or know that you will be setting off on one in the near future, these three steps will set you up for success. Rather than viewing them as hurdles to beginning the real work of applying for positions, they are necessary to ending up in the job that’s right for you.

Less is More: How to Streamline Your Resume

You resume must facilitate a ‘love at first sight’ scenario: as soon a hiring manager reads it they have to be hooked. This means that it has to be easy read and understand at a quick glance—and the best way to do this? Streamline your resume in a few simple steps:

1. Put relevant information first

The natural progression of your reader’s eyes will be from top to bottom of the page. Therefore, the most pertinent information should come first. Start with your education if you are a recent grad; and if not then the most recent, relevant work experience.

2. Remove irrelevant experience

Again, each piece of information listed should serve the purpose of convincing its reader that you are the perfect fit for the job. Rather than painting a comprehensive picture of every achievement you have ever made, stick to what would be viewed as professional successes by your future employer.

3. Take out extra words

One or two pages is not long—often it is barely sufficient to list everything we would like to on our resumes—so you have to make the most of each word on the page. Don’t fill your resume with filler or ‘fluff’ words to make it sound better; the opposite is usually how it will end up reading. Additionally, try to stick to writing in the first person and active voice wherever possible.

4. Make sure your resume is visually appealing

If a resume is cluttered and difficult for your potential employer to read it is likely to be more distracting than captivating. Each effort to streamlining your resume is one more step toward keeping it out of the recycle bin, and this is one of the most noticeable steps. Make your resume eye-catching for the right reasons by placing your header at the top, dividing it up into clearly marked categories, and presenting information in a clear-cut fashion.

5. Have multiple resumes

Lastly, because each job you apply for will have different qualifications, having multiple resumes that cater to aspects of various jobs is beneficial. More than one resume will also help in the streamlining process because you will not feel pressured to fit all your information into one document—you can cut each resume down to only the most essential items for each job.

Your resume should present your best, most professional achievements; however, if it does not do this in a way that is visually appealing, easy to read, and straightforward it may take away from your eligibility as a candidate. No matter if you are applying for an entry-level or top-level position, streamlining your resume is crucial to getting hired.